A selection of readers’ opinions.

Shadow lines

I think the need to change the name is a little exaggerated (“‘Maybe it is time to change my son’s name’: The new reality of being Muslim in India”). The most such feelings are brought into the open, the more confidence trouble-makers will get. In reality these trouble makers are not courageous, but act brazenly because they know they are not alone. Also, the observation about Muslim families getting smaller seems unecessary. If is nobody else’s business how many children one chooses to have. – Umar Farooq

***

This article amazed me for just one reason: how brilliantly one can manipulate the situation in the country and paint a picture that is far from the truth. Before you accuse me of being pro-BJP or Hindutva, I’d like to clarify that I am neutral and not biased towards any party.

I agree that violence in the name of cow-protection has created fear amongst many beef-eating people, including Hindus, but projecting the plight of Muslims in the country in such a light is incorrect. How can the plight of the country’s 18 crore Muslims be inferred by just one incident? Do you ever follow social media? If yes, do you have any idea of how common people, especially the youth, feel about these incidents?

I can understand if political parties mislead the public by taking up these incidents and paint a false picture to appeal to their votebank, but a supposedly neutral website like yours doing so means that you are aligned to a political party or have an agenda against a certain community. – Ashwin Kumar

***

Your article, though humanistic, did not touch upon some important things. Generations of Hindus grew up with Muslims in all parts of India who supported Pakistan, whether in cricket matches or in the Kargil war.

When some Muslim youth are lynched, (which is of course an unpardonable crime) the liberal media make it national political discourse. But why were the mum when hundreds and thousands of Kashmiri Pandits were brutalised, raped and expelled from their homes? Wherever Hindus are minority in Muslim-majority nations, killings, rape and murder are the norm, yet English media of India never publishes anything about that. – Shiv

***

The problem is much bigger than what you say it is. India’s history is well documented and therein lies the origin and solutions to this “new reality” you write about. It’s not new, it was there even when invaders entered India and many millions were beheaded.

Gandhi offered love. Perhaps that’s the solution. Minorities, the world over, have to be sensitive to the needs of the majority. It’s peace, brotherhood and walking together under one umbrella that saves the day. One morality of love is the way forward. Certainly, the early invaders to India did not have such a mindset as the Mahatma. God bless his soul. – MBV

***

This article is biased and portrays India as the most intolerant nation. Ours is the only country where the majority population has to fight with the government to preserve their identity and continue their livelihood. If the Muslims of India feel they are discriminated against and denied basic rights, they could chose to live in Islamic countries.

Please do not encourage such articles that voice such partisan views and harm the society. – R Sivasankaran

***

Such articles will only increase intolerance in India. Any killing, be it of a Hindu or a Muslim, is wrong. Do you write such articles when Hindu are targetted in Bengal, when extremism is promoted in madarassas? In India, being secular means criticising Hinduism. – Arvind

***

You conveniently overlooked how hurt the country was when Kashmiris and some Bengali Muslims celebrated Pakistani victory for decades now. If Dalits can get reservation because they were treated as untouchables 100 years back, why cant the Hindus seek some kind of affirmative action against Muslims, who had invaded us multiple times throughout history? –Subhojyoti Lahiri

***

Maybe it’s time for Scroll.in to change the way it thinks and look at what is happening in Bengal. Muslims are rioting over an image, and you expect us Hindus not to get angry about something we consider our God?

The media has taken this line of Muslims being afraid for TRPs. Why don’t you have the courage to talk about Islamic terror and atrocities by Muslims? Start being secular not some fake secularists who are playing politics of appeasement. – Raaj Rane

***

Why don’t you say anything to condemn what’s happening in West Bengal’s Basirhat? Our country is the safest in the world for people of all religions, not just Hindus. – Srimoyee Roy

***

This is a very well-written article that highlights several important things. The hidden divide is coming out faster than ever. As a Hindu student studying in a minority university, I can see the difference in perceptions I get on being in a Muslim community and then in a Hindu community. – Ashish Gupta

***

The situation is quite the opposite in Kerala, West Bengal and Karnataka. Being Hindu in many parts of these states is scary. friend of mine told me recently that his uncle, from an upper caste, contemplated conversion to Islam to avoid harassment.

This pandering to the minority community and continuous TV coverage of their grievances in addition to the global phenomenon of Islamic terror has led to the present situation. Every discussion on TV invariably begins by putting the Hindus on the defensive. – Mahesh Nayak

Cracking down

You seem to conveniently forget the cases and inquiries lodged against Narendra Modi under the UPA regime (“Opinion: Why the raids on Lalu Yadav should worry us about India’s democracy”). Wasn’t that a political move? Or was that a very moral move? What Modi is doing is nothing new. Every new regime that comes to power tries to tarnish the policies of the previous government. And how ideologically bereft must you be to be questioning the enquiries into alleged corruption against a man who was responsible for modern India’s first big scam, one who is allegedly in contact with a known don in Bihar? – Mukund Dhananjay

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The widespread understanding of Indian democracy is that it functions with corrupt leaders at the helm. So, if someone tries to change that, even if it’s in morally disputable ways, why look at it as a threat to democracy? – Makkapati Arun Kumar

***

The CBI it seems, should take permission from people like Lalu Prasad Yadav before raiding them in corruption cases. People like Lalu Yadav who claim to fight for the poor but amass thousands of crores are innocent and should be considered for the Bharat Ratna! – Shatendra Singh

***

Shame on you for trying to defend the biggest thief in Indian politics. – Ashok Pandey

***

What an elaborate and enlightening article! Raids by an investigating agency into the family of a politician who has been convicted for corruption is a threat to democracy? Hats off to the author. This is another shining example of intellectual dishonesty. – Sukriti Ranjan Bhattacharjee

Looking within

Are the actions of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hindu Yuva Vahini and cow vigilantes, according to Narendra Modi (“G20 Summit: PM Narendra Modi says members should ban leaders of nations supporting militancy”)? If his statement at the G20 summit, that “terrorism has many names but shares the same ideology of hatred and manslaughter” is to be taken at face value, then India will be there on the top of the list for hatred against Dalits and preventing our poor brothers from eating beef. This country and its upper caste citizenry have inflicted cruelty upon our people for millennia. – Deepa Rashmi

Highs and lows

What the great JRD Tata built with pain-staking effort was a lucrative business for the government (“A history lesson for the Tatas (and Indigo) as they consider buying out Air India”). Hence, they nationalised Air India. The governments kept changing the management of the airline as per their whims, treating it as their property. They extracted everything they could from it and then set it aside as a debt-ridden burden on the government. The airline should be given back to the family that created it, who will at least maintain the sentiments of JRD Tata.– Rajatava

Can you explain who the average Indian teenager is in your opinion? Your life, the lives of the people in A Suitable Boy, and Vikram Seth’s own life remind of wealthy families of the kind you see in Monsoon Wedding. You call that “average Indian”? – Sujatha Gidla

Ten awesome TV shows to get over your post-GoT blues

With those withdrawal symptoms kicking in, all you need is a good rebound show.

Hangovers tend to have a debilitating effect on various human faculties, but a timely cure can ease that hollow feeling generally felt in the pit of the stomach. The Game of Thrones Season 7 finale has left us with that similar empty feeling, worsened by an official statement on the 16-month-long wait to witness The Great War. That indeed is a long time away from our friends Dany, Jon, Queen C and even sweet, sweet Podrick. While nothing can quite replace the frosty thrill of Game of Thrones, here’s a list of awesome shows, several having won multiple Emmy awards, that are sure to vanquish those nasty withdrawal symptoms:

1. Billions

There is no better setting for high stakes white collar crime than the Big Apple. And featuring a suited-up Paul Giamatti going head-to-head with the rich and ruthless Damien Lewis in New York, what’s not to like? Only two seasons young, this ShowTime original series promises a wolf-of-wall-street style showcase of power, corruption and untold riches. Billions is a great high-octane drama option if you want to keep the momentum going post GoT.

2. Westworld

What do you get when the makers of the Dark Knight Trilogy and the studio behind Game of Thrones collaborate to remake a Michael Crichton classic? Westworld brings together two worlds: an imagined future and the old American West, with cowboys, gun slingers - the works. This sci-fi series manages to hold on to a dark secret by wrapping it with the excitement and adventure of the wild west. Once the plot is unwrapped, the secret reveals itself as a genius interpretation of human nature and what it means to be human. Regardless of what headspace you’re in, this Emmy-nominated series will absorb you in its expansive and futuristic world. If you don’t find all of the above compelling enough, you may want to watch Westworld simply because George RR Martin himself recommends it! Westworld will return for season 2 in the spring of 2018.

3. Big Little Lies

It’s a distinct possibility that your first impressions of this show, whether you form those from the trailer or opening sequence, will make you think this is just another sun-kissed and glossy Californian drama. Until, the dark theme of BLL descends like an eerie mist, that is. With the serious acting chops of Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman as leads, this murder mystery is one of a kind. Adapted from author Liane Moriarty’s book, this female-led show has received accolades for shattering the one-dimensional portrayal of women on TV. Despite the stellar star cast, this Emmy-nominated show wasn’t easy to make. You should watch Big Little Lies if only for Reese Witherspoon’s long struggle to get it off the ground.

4. The Night of

The Night Of is one of the few crime dramas featuring South Asians without resorting to tired stereotypes. It’s the kind of show that will keep you in its grip with its mysterious plotline, have you rooting for its characters and leave you devastated and furious. While the narrative revolves around a murder and the mystery that surrounds it, its undertones raises questions on racial, class and courtroom politics. If you’re a fan of True Detective or Law & Order and are looking for something serious and thoughtful, look no further than this series of critical acclaim.

5. American Horror Story

As the name suggests, AHS is a horror anthology for those who can stomach some gore and more. In its 6 seasons, the show has covered a wide range of horror settings like a murder house, freak shows, asylums etc. and the latest season is set to explore cults. Fans of Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange are in for a treat, as are Lady Gaga’s fans. If you pride yourself on not being weak of the heart, give American Horror Story a try.

6. Empire

At its heart, Empire is a simple show about a family business. It just so happens that this family business is a bit different from the sort you are probably accustomed to, because this business entails running a record label, managing artistes and when push comes to shove, dealing with rivals in a permanent sort of manner. Empire treads some unique ground as a fairly violent show that also happens to be a musical. Lead actors Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard certainly make it worth your while to visit this universe, but it’s the constantly evolving interpersonal relations and bevy of cameo appearances that’ll make you stay. If you’re a fan of hip hop, you’ll enjoy a peek into the world that makes it happen. Hey, even if you aren’t one, you might just grow fond of rap and hip hop.

7. Modern Family

When everything else fails, it’s comforting to know that the family will always be there to lift your spirits and keep you chuckling. And by the family we mean the Dunphys, Pritchetts and Tuckers, obviously. Modern Family portrays the hues of familial bonds with an honesty that most family shows would gloss over. Eight seasons in, the show’s characters like Gloria and Phil Dunphy have taken on legendary proportions in their fans’ minds as they navigate their relationships with relentless bumbling humour. If you’re tired of irritating one-liners or shows that try too hard, a Modern Family marathon is in order. This multiple-Emmy-winning sitcom is worth revisiting, especially since the brand new season 9 premiers on 28th September 2017.

8. The Deuce

Headlined by James Franco and Maggi Gyllenhaal, The Deuce is not just about the dazzle of the 1970s, with the hippest New York crowd dancing to disco in gloriously flamboyant outfits. What it IS about is the city’s nooks and crannies that contain its underbelly thriving on a drug epidemic. The series portrays the harsh reality of New York city in the 70s following the legalisation of the porn industry intertwined with the turbulence caused by mob violence. You’ll be hooked if you are a fan of The Wire and American Hustle, but keep in mind it’s grimmer and grittier. The Deuce offers a turbulent ride which will leave you wanting more.

9. Dexter

In case you’re feeling vengeful, you can always get the spite out of your system vicariously by watching Dexter, our favourite serial killer. This vigilante killer doesn’t hide behind a mask or a costume, but sneaks around like a criminal, targeting the bad guys that have slipped through the justice system. From its premier in 2006 to its series finale in 2013, the Emmy-nominated Michael C Hall, as Dexter, has kept fans in awe of the scientific precision in which he conducts his kills. For those who haven’t seen the show, the opening credits give an accurate glimpse of how captivating the next 45 minutes will be. If it’s been a while since you watched in awe as the opening credits rolled, maybe you should revisit the world’s most loved psychopath for nostalgia’s sake.

Available starting October

10. Rome

If you’re still craving an epic drama with extensive settings and a grandiose plot and sub-plots, Rome, co-produced by HBO and BBC, is where your search stops. Rome is a historical drama that takes you through an overwhelming journey of Ancient Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire. And when it comes to tastes, this series provides the similar full-bodied flavour that you’ve grown to love about Game of Thrones. There’s a lot to take away for those who grew up quoting Julius Caesar, and for those looking for a realistic depiction of the legendary gladiators. If you’re a history buff, give this Emmy-winning show a try.

For your next obsession, Hotstar Premium has you covered with its wide collection of the most watched shows in the world. Apart from the ones we’ve recommended, Indian viewers can now easily watch other universally loved shows such as Silicon Valley and Prison Break, and movies including all titles from the Marvel and Disney universe. So take control of your life again post the Game of Thrones gloom and sign up for the Hotstar Premium membership here.

This article was produced by the Scroll marketing team on behalf of Hotstar and not by the Scroll editorial team.